As the weather gets warmer, Saanich is seeing more and more visitors from the forest. The third and fourth black bears spotted in Saanich this month were seen Friday walking towards Elk Lake Regional Park at around 12:30 in the afternoon.
A hiker came across the animal and alerted the police. Officers saw the bear and cub and were able to scare it away to the north-west.
SAANICH BEAR UPDATE: Officers saw the bear and cub, and where able to scare it away to the north-west so it is not as much as a danger to the public. They have now left the area #yyj @CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/9c2tZhS7I3
— Julian Kolsut (@juliankolsut) May 22, 2020
Police officers are asking people to remain safe and be diligent. The park will be open this weekend.
“We’re just letting people know that there is a bear there and be aware if you choose to use the park,” Const. Markus Anastasiades, public information officer for the Saanich Police Department, said.
“If you see it, give us a call. It helps us track its behaviour and location in Saanich.”
According to police, the bear and cub were on the border of an area where bears are known to be so the incident is not that unusual.
Police say the BC Conservation Office has been notified and they are working with CRD Regional Parks to create awareness.
Just one day prior on Thursday, a black bear was seen in a neighbourhood near Beaver Lake, just “strolling along”.
Two weeks before that, a black bear was seen nearby, on Goward Road.
Police are asking everyone to bear-proof their homes, and to stay alert.
Rebecca Lawrence
